HBO to Sell Its Programs on the PlayStation 3

Sony Computer Entertainment of America and Time Warner have agreed to offer HBO's programs on the PlayStation 3 for a premium price. This is yet another move in Sony's strategy to position the PS3 as not just a game console, but more of a general entertainment distribution channel. The 47 million registered PS3 owners worldwide have access to movies from Netflix and to baseball matches through MLB TV, besides the recent addition of HBO's shows.

“HBO is a high-profile content provider, and a real premium service, so we think this really reinforces that the PlayStation is more than just a video-game console now,” Jack Tretton, chief executive officer of Sony Computer Entertainment of America, said. “It gives consumers that big-screen, HD experience in the home on a device other than cable and satellite, and that's becoming the norm now as opposed to the exception. Networks like HBO can be beholden to the cable and satellite companies, or they can play wherever the consumers play,” the SCEA exec continued to comment.

While no details have been made public about the way profits will be shared between the two companies, it is known that episodes will be available for download on the PS3 roughly at the same time as DVD versions are launched. HBO President Henry McGee detailed the pricing, saying that an episode of True Blood, for example, would cost about three dollars. He also mentioned that the platform's demographic, mostly educated and diverse 18 to 34 males, was a highly attractive one that should enjoy HBO's programming. It may be worth mentioning that most other TV episodes on the PS3 have a 99-cent price point.

While planning how to expand its domain, Sony has not forgotten that the PlayStation 3 is still mainly a gaming platform. Its smash hit exclusive shooter, Killzone 3, was announced this week with many other PlayStation-only games, like Little Big Planet 2, incoming.